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Spoken by a Man, Written by Women: Don Draper's Wisdom

TresSugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:00:25 -0800

Mad Men's Don Draper spends a lot of time not talking, which does the rare double duty of adding to his appeal while reducing him to a total ass. But when he does talk, his words are elegant, philosophical, and - if you think about - really great advice! Even so, when they're all put together in this montage above, Don sounds more like a narcissist with a God complex than a wise man with a gift for language, reminding us where his words came from: women writers. With women filling the pool of writers on Mad Men, we'd be remiss to give Don all, or any, of the credit. So what's your favorite line?

Girl Crush du Jour: Alison Brie

TresSugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:00:12 -0800

Adorable. No word better sums up actress Alison Brie. And while I am sure the 26-year-old would prefer a more sophisticated adjective, she does play Trudy Campbell on Mad Men and ain't nothin' more sophisticated than that. Combine that with her success as the strung-out community college student on NBC's Community, and how I could not be crushing?

Other than radiating ebullience in real life, Alison, who says she's rarely recognized on the street, seems nothing like either character. She grew up with hippie parents in South Pasadena, CA, where she still lives and showed up to a Pasadena Weekly interview in a "Die Yuppie Scum" t-shirt.

But Alison's not as innocent as she or her characters look. She told Pasadena Weekly: "I don’t know why people see me . . . like I’m all prim and proper, when I couldn’t be more different. People think I come off that way, but I’m not.”

She's right. In this 2007 skit, she dishes it right back to the Internet's most infamous yogi, The Underminer, when he asks her to be in his variety show that's like "Curb Your Enthusiasm meets You Can't Do That on Television." Namaste! Watch it below.

Etsy Finds: Cool Retro Barware for Your Mad Man

CasaSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:55 -0800

It's no secret that Mad Men has every man and wife (and mistress) wanting a retro bar set and cart for their home - or, let's be honest, office. Even if your man (or bro) is the beer-slugging kind, there's something so sharp and dapper about all the essentials to make a proper drink that I think he'll appreciate the thought. Check out this slideshow to learn how to raise the bar.

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Bill Clinton Has Problematic Views on Mad Men

TresSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:02:00 -0800

It appears Bill Clinton has come out of retirement to put his foot in his mouth. When discussing his appreciation for Mad Men, Clinton attempted to present a balanced view about how the show depicts women. Unfortunately, it came out sounding quite embarrassing considering his reputation for putting the moves on his staff, something we see a lot on the show. Clinton said:

"The way women were treated is appalling, and only occasionally funny to me."

I think someone should tell Mr. Clinton that the "appalling" treatment of women is not supposed to be funny . . . ever. Let's just hope this was an unfortunate choice of words.

January Jones and Jon Hamm Aren't Mad, Just Busy

PopSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:30:31 -0800

Jon Hamm and January Jones were on the small screen together last night for the amazing Mad Men season finale, but they were off on separate voyages over the weekend. He grabbed a coffee Friday shortly after arriving at the airport in Vancouver, where he's set to work on Sucker Punch after filming The Town in Boston with Ben Affleck. January, meanwhile, kept her sexy cover girl look under wraps as she walked her dog before catching a flight from LAX yesterday afternoon. We'll soon see January leave Betty Draper behind when she tries on lots of new characters as the host of SNL next Saturday.

To see more of January and Jon, just read more.

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Mad Men, "Shut the Door. Have a Seat": This Week's 5 Maddest Moments

BuzzSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:30:53 -0800

Wow. The biggest surprise of the third season finale of Mad Men isn't actually a plot point, but how light and almost exciting it manages to be. For a show that's normally so tense and tightly wound, this week's episode has a quick pace, and at times, a sense of humor. Of course, there is still disappointment and heartache; some of our predictions for the finale come true, but some go sadly unfulfilled.

Without further ado, let's talk about the door that closes and the one that opens this week, and as usual, the finale's five maddest moments, when you read more.

So long, Connie: It's eccentric hotelier Conrad Hilton that breaks the news to Don that rival agency McCann is buying PPL, and Sterling Cooper along with it. Don's plenty irate, as it's Hilton's fault that he was signed into a three-year contract and is thus, trapped. However, Don's bitterness quickly turns to ambition, when he rallies Burt, then Roger, to buy back Sterling Cooper from PPL. Pryce is unhelpful in even supplying the purchase price for the men, quashing the buyback plans, but then another scheme is launched: Pryce fires Don, Roger, and Burt so they can form a new agency.
Draper Dissolution: While an exciting change is happening for Don in his career, back at home a bleak change is coming. Betty informs Don that she's seen a divorce lawyer and advises him to do the same. It's painful watching these two spar, and I wanted so much for them to figure out how to fix it - but the ball is clearly in Don's court and he does nothing to sway Betty to call off the divorce. Sure, he tells her to, and even suggests that she might need psychiatric help. Oh, and he tells her that he gave her everything she wanted materially, insinuating that should be enough. Don may know what his clients want, but in his marriage, he has no idea what Betty wants.
Irreconcilable differences: Don sheepishly tolerates the divorce talk until he's having drinks with Roger, who spills the beans about Betty taking up with Henry Francis (I do have to say, it is rather nice to see these two getting along, acting like buds). This sends a drunken Don home to wake up Betty for a confrontation about her indiscretion, and things get nasty and uncomfortably physical. Again, Don manages to push Betty into even more resolve, and she tells him that she's going to Reno to initiate the divorce. Don and Betty devastate the kids with the news of their separation, and Betty makes good on her threat to go to Reno after Don softens a tiny bit - to tell her that he won't fight her.
Don, at your service: One of my favorite parts of this episode? Seeing Don put through the paces by Pete and Peggy. He's always treated them like underlings, and they finally have the opportunity to assert themselves. Don obliges them both and tells them how valuable they are, but not before Peggy pushes back. Her backbone straightens when she's first told of the new company and assures Don that she's had "other offers." Luckily, Don doesn't take no for an answer, and visits Peggy at home, telling her he'd spend the rest of his life trying to hire her if she turned him down now. It's so touching to see Don put aside his ego to acknowledge these others, and it makes me sad that he can't do something similar for Betty.
Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce: The gang's back together! It's thrilling good fun watching the new company assemble - Roger and Don get the agency's most prized employees one by one, plus my favorite: Joan! She's a necessity to help find all the files and materials in the office, and, they realize, a force that had been holding the company together. Her role in Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce (can you say "Michael Scott Paper Company"? I told you these two shows have a lot in common!) is a given. With everything coming together so perfectly, though, I wondered why Sal isn't also called in. I suppose we have next season to look forward to for that. Speaking of, next Summer can't come fast enough.

It's interesting that the finale also weaves in flashbacks of Don's early childhood, as this season's premiere did. What Don is remembering now, though, is how his father died. The elder Whitman was faced with losing his home, and after breaking free of the cooperative, readies a trip to the city to sell his crop. His spooked horse kicks him in the head, killing him, with the young Don as witness. It's an obvious parallel to Don's circumstances, who's losing his home, as in his marriage; and, losing his home, as in his life's work. Of course, he only manages to take control of one of those.

So what did you think? Did this season wrap up the way you wanted it to? And even though we won't see the Draper family or the worker bees of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce until the fourth season returns, you can still join the Mad Men group in the community to chat about the show year-round.

Photo courtesy of AMC

Buzz In: What Are Your Hopes For the Mad Men Season Finale?

BuzzSugar — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:30:26 -0800

Tonight, the third season of Mad Men wraps up, and there couldn't be more characters and plotlines on a precipice. Last week, Betty told Don she doesn't love him anymore and got a marriage proposal from Henry, and Pete was looking close to leaving Sterling Cooper. The season has also been building up other situations that may come to a head tonight, such as Joan and Roger's relationship, Salvatore's unjustified firing, and the casting aside of Don's latest mistress, Suzanne, who seems to me to be a bit unstable.

There's rarely a happy ending on this show, but for some reason, I'd still really like to see Don fight for Betty; now that she knows he was Dick Whitman, they could have a chance to start over in a more honest place. In the meantime, I hope they resolve the Sal plot and bring him back - he has to come back! As does the show's resident bombshell, Joan Holloway, whom I predict must be returning to either the office - or to Roger's arms. These are my hopes for the season finale tonight; what are yours?

Photo courtesy of AMC

Link Time: Watch Kris Allen's Video For "Live Like We're Dying"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:00:39 -0800

Kris Allen's music video for "Live Like We're Dying" is here - Music Mix

Jemaine Clement says that he and Bret may not return for Flight of the Conchords because they're dads now - Vulture

New Moon's Jamie Campbell Bower thinks Tim Burton should direct Breaking Dawn - MTV Movies Blog

Watch Jay-Z and U2 perform "Sunday, Bloody Sunday" in Berlin - Pitchfork

Five Mad Men spinoffs that would be great ideas - TV.com

Jim Carrey's new website may freak you out - MTV Movies Blog

JJ Abrams is directing and exec-producing the pilot for his show Undercovers for NBC - Coming Soon

Top Chef Masters is cooking for the cast of Modern Family today! - Steve Levitan's Twitter

This week's Parks and Recreation brings up an interesting relationship issue - TresSugar

Stephen Frears reunites with his High Fidelity screenwriter D.V. De Vincentis for Lay the Favorite - Cinematical

Get Your Own Mad Men-Inspired Wardrobe!

FabSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:00:22 -0800

I know I'm not the only one obsessed with Mad Men. Not only is the plot juicy, but so are the clothes. I've already checked out Banana Republic's inspired pieces, made my own stylish Mad (Wo)Men, and hopefully soon, I can get retro designs from Mad Men's costume designer, Janie Bryant! “I love fashion as it allows us each to express our creativity and I love capturing the essence of an era through costume design,” says Janie. “Now I am looking forward to bringing that retro style to today's wardrobes.” Launch details are TBD, but we do know Janie is set to design a modern '60s-inspired line of men’s and women’s apparel, lingerie, swimwear, home, footwear and accessories. It's a mad, mad world . . .

Photo courtesy of AMC

Buzz Gift Guide: Dear Old Dad

BuzzSugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:30:55 -0800

Yes, you read that right: the holiday season is already upon us! It's time to pack up our scary Halloween decorations and start brainstorming ideas for the perfect presents. I know how daunting holiday shopping can be, which is why I'm here to help you every step of the way for all the entertainment lovers in your life. Kicking things off: gifts for your proud papas.

Finding something great for my dad has always been a bit of a struggle, since he's already got a lifetime's worth of gadgets and gizmos, but that's where this guide comes in handy - he always needs new CDs for the stereo and some DVDs to help show off that plasma screen, right?

My parents love reminiscing about the '60s on Mad Men, and what dad wouldn't look dashing in Brooks Brothers' limited edition suit? It doesn't come cheap, but then again, neither does looking as suave as Don Draper.

Many dads, including my own, tend to love Ken Burns, so how about his latest doc, National Parks. Looking for something a bit lighter? As a die-hard Mel Brooks fan, I'm thinking of giving a Blu-ray box set of the classics including Space Balls and Young Frankenstein.